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Associated Press 8y

Florida Panthers preview capsule

NHL, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals

FLORIDA PANTHERS

LAST SEASON: 38-29-15, 91 points. Missed playoffs.

COACH: Gerard Gallant (second season, fifth NHL season).

ADDED: LW Martin Havlat.

LOST: RW Scottie Upshall, RW Brad Boyes, RW Tomas Kopecky, G Dan Ellis.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LW Jonathan Huberdeau. Put on a line with Jaromir Jagr toward the end of last season and Huberdeau was good as ever, averaging a point per game. If he has that pace over a full season, Florida could have one of the elite first-lines in the NHL.

OUTLOOK: They'll need Jagr to be good, G Roberto Luongo to remain good and can't afford any letdowns from their defensemen corps. But on paper, this looks like as good a team Florida has had in the better part of two decades. A strong start to the season might be crucial, especially since there's no shortage of contenders in the Eastern Conference, but playoffs are hardly out of the question.

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